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How GPAD is live research for business improvement

What I had heard about the goals of the event made sense to me. We were looking for new equipment and technology, and ideas that could help our employees with their daily workloads, along with being a better supplier for our customers. I decided GPAD was worth looking into. 

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Don Power headshot
Don Power, VP Manufacturing, Aldora

Search: "How to Write a Blog"

Yes… that’s me. The first thing I did when I was asked to write a blog was to look up “how to write a blog.” I’m not a blogger. This is my first one. But researching that question does tie into what I was asked to make comments about. 

Search: “How to improve my business”

Research helps me make more informed choices. For the same reason I looked up how to write a blog, I’ve also been researching ways to improve our business, and identify ways to find and retain good employees. Post-COVID, that’s everybody’s issue. 

But, before COVID we were already doing what we could to improve our employee relations to keep people around and invested. 

Search: “Why attend GPAD”

In 2019, I was invited to attend GPAD and, of course, I had to do some research. What I had heard about the goals of the event made sense to me. We were looking for new equipment and technology, and ideas that could help our employees with their daily workloads, along with being a better supplier for our customers. I decided GPAD was worth looking into. 

I’ve only been able to attend that one GPAD event, which took place pre-pandemic in San Antonio. What came out of that first GPAD meeting for me was a new laser logo machine, new digitizing software, and some great ERP discussions. All of which has helped our business tremendously – not a bad result upon trying something new. 

What I also enjoyed and was surprised by, was the atmosphere. Competitors willing to share their stories, good and bad, about equipment, technology or ideas they had tried. I enjoyed meeting the people I’ve been hearing about for years and getting to know them better. 

Live research

For me, GPAD was very educational and successful on my own terms. As with my research on how to write a blog, or research on how to improve our work environment and efficiencies, what GPAD offered was an in-person method of research. I was able to ask direct questions and get direct answers about equipment and technology that may or may not improve our business from both vendors and their customers. I’m sure I’ll be going back to another GPAD. I assume it will be well worth the trip. 

Learn More about GPAD 2022